held up behind, ridden after 13th, never able to get on terms, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
held up mid-division, hit 14th, soon struggling, weakened before 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
led to 7th, remained prominent, lost place 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
reminder after 1st, not fluent on occasions, chased leaders to 8th, behind and struggling after 11th, lost touch when pulled up before 14th
always prominent, led 12th, ridden when hard pressed after 3 out, 2 lengths clear last, stayed on well under pressure flat
held up behind, headway on outside after 12th, went 2nd and poised to challenge after 3 out, outpaced when switched inside between last 2, 2 lengths down last, soon ridden, kept on but always held flat
held up behind, reminder after 8th, headway after 10th, chased leaders 4 out, soon outpaced, no impression in 4th next, weakened from 2 out, tailed off
prominent, led 7th to 12th, in touch, 3rd and ridden after 3 out, no chance with clear pair from next
Ballykan was only fourth in this two years ago but is now 12lb lower in the weights. Walt won a Grade 3 at Kempton before pulled up in a Listed race at Cheltenham. Swingbridge goes for a fourth course victory and More Buck's is also a previous course and distance winner. Habitual front-runner Valadom has been getting closer and Rachael McDonald takes off a handy 5lb but Progress Drive is blinkered after a poor run in the Eider at Newcastle and Red Giant was always struggling at Aintree. SPECIAL PREP has gone up 9lb for a facile victory at Newcastle. That looks harsh but he’s got few miles on the clock and a fast pace would play to his strengths.
Walt (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Chased leader, lost place before 4th, hampered 6th, 7th and 9th, behind when pulled up before 11th, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
Special Prep (IRE) 15-8 (11-5) Chased leaders, not much room briefly after 4 out, led going best 3 out, about 3 lengths ahead when left clear last, won at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Ascot De Bruyere (11-12) by 14l, 4 ran.
More Buck's (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Led to 2nd, close up when mistake and unseated rider 4th (water), at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Progress Drive (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, reminders after 15th, quickly weakened, tailed off, 12th of 16, dist behind Crosspark (10-13) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Red Giant (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Always behind, mistake 9th, pulled up before 12th, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Swingbridge (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 16th of 23, 37 1/2l behind Askari (10-13) at Navan 2m 6f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Ballykan 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 10th, headed 12th, tracked leader, ridden 4 out, weakened next, last of 5, 36 1/4l behind Sideways (10-3) at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Valadom (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Led, clear 11th until last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Cultram Abbey (11-8) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
